SPRINGFIELD -- The Missouri State volleyball program has received commitments from four high school seniors, head coach Melissa Stokes announced. Emily Butters, MacKenzie Irwin, Ashley Ophoven and Paige Perego will join the Bears as freshman in the fall of 2015.

"We are very excited about the skill and talent level of the 2015 class," Stokes said. "This is a well-rounded group not only athletically, but also academically. Each one of these players has played the game at a high level and comes in with a high volleyball IQ. All four will have an immediate positive impact on our program. They will all represent Missouri State and our volleyball program in a first class manner on and off the court."

Emily Butters • 5-8 • DS/L • Richmond, Texas • Fort Bend Travis High

A talented defensive specialist, Butters comes to Missouri State from the Houston suburb of Richmond, Texas. She was named the district 23A-5 defensive MVP following a senior season in which she scooped 636 digs in 92 sets for a 6.91 average. Butters was also an academic all-state selection as a senior. During her junior campaign, Butters totaled 523 digs and a 5.28 per set average as a first-team all-district selection and defensive MVP. Her volleyball teams qualified for the state playoffs during each of her final three seasons, and she played for a pair of state-tournament soccer teams as well for Travis High.

Stokes on Butters:

"Emily is a very skilled volleyball player. She has great platform control in all first-ball contact situations, whether it is on serve receive or playing floor defense. She is quick and brings great energy. I am excited to get her in the gym and add her to our defense department. Emily compliments her skill with her passion for the game, which shows every time she steps on the floor."


MacKenzie Irwin • 6-1 • MB/RS • Joplin, Mo. • Carl Junction High

Irwin played for a Carl Junction team that went unbeaten in conference play during each of her four seasons and piled up 107 total wins over that span, leaving with school records for career kills (759) and blocks (166). As a senior, she hit .279 and recorded 185 kills and 26 aces on the way to second-team all-state and first-team all-region, all-district and all-conference honors. Irwin had 327 kills, 44 aces and 201 digs with a .253 hitting percentage to earn first-team all-state honors as a junior, helping the Bulldogs to a Class 3A runner-up finish in the state tournament. Irwin hit .292 with 167 kills as a sophomore for all-region, all-district, and all-conference honors, and had 80 kills her freshman season. She also spent time in USA Volleyball junior programs during her prep career.

Stokes on Irwin:

"I've had the pleasure of getting to know Big Mac and her family over the years and we couldn't be happier to be adding such positive people to our program. Mac is a great athlete. She is very fast laterally and has great blocking instincts. She has been asked to play a variety of positions over the last four years and so she will add great depth to our program in her ability to fulfill a variety of roles."


Ashley Ophoven • 6-1 • OH/MB/RS • Ozark, Mo. • Ozark High

Ophoven played all over the floor for a highly-successful Ozark program, earning first-team all-state honors as a senior for head coach and former Bear Adeana (McAfee) Brewer. Ophoven hit .357 with 59 blocks her senior year as the Tigers were ranked in the top 100 nationally and completed a stretch of 94 victories in three seasons. She hit .288 and led Ozark in kills as a junior, adding 45 blocks on the year as an all-region selection. Ophoven had 48 blocks during her sophomore year as Ozark earned a third-place finish in the state tournament.

Stokes on Ophoven:

"I have seen Ashley really develop as an athlete and a volleyball player. She has improved a lot playing for one of the best high school programs in the state over the last four years. Ashley has the size and athletic ability to make an immediate impact on our program, both offensively and defensively at the net. She is bright and continues to be a student of the game. I think she has only scratched the surface of how good she can be."


Paige Perego • 6-2 • OH • Ballwin, Mo. • Parkway West High

Perego earned Under Armour Honorable Mention All-American this season after totaling 383 kills for a 5.25 per set average for the Suburban Central Conference champion Parkway West Longhorns. She was a first-team all-state pick as a senior and second-team choice as a junior, leading her conference in kills and aces both seasons. Perego was Parkway West's MVP in each of her final three seasons, earning first-team all-conference and all-district honors each year and adding an all-region selection her junior and senior seasons. Perego also received scholar-athlete recognition all four years of high school.

Stokes on Perego:

"Paige is a complete player in every facet of the game. A true six-rotation player, she has worked hard to develop her game to the level it is at now. She brings speed and power every time she plays and loves competition. She is a player that wants the ball in tight situations and it has been fun to watch her compete and it will be even more fun when she is in our gym competing for the Bears."